The 11th to the 13th of March 2024 saw the Graduation Event for the S2ABC European Advanced Course on Sport Administration take place in Pristina, Kosovo.
Following the Induction Event in Brussels last September and three modules delivered live online, 22 course participants from across the Western Balkans and EU gathered for the final activity of the innovative blended learning course which had the aim to develop the successful sport administrators of tomorrow.
Hosted by the University of Pristina, day 1 on the 11th of March included a welcome message from Florian Miftari representing the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at the University of Pristina. Group work also commenced on day 1 with the group task, which brought together all elements of the course, presented to participants. Participants had chance to wind down with some physical activity in the form of basketball, the number one sport in Kosovo, there are several ex-professional players as participants on the course.
On day 2, participants continued the group work and planned and delivered presentations bringing together the strands of the course in project management, finance and managing people. The standard of presentations, which were delivered in the format of presenting a project for funding, was exceptional with amazing work from each group.
Day 2 also included a visit to the Kosovo Basketball Federation to learn about their Strategic Plan and understand their organisation’s values, with a presentation delivered by Elvira Dushku – General Secretary of the federation. There was also time to visit the city with a walking tour to see the sights.
The official Graduation Ceremony and presentation of certificates to the participants was a highlight of the event and served as a formal recognition of the achievement of the participants who had taken part in two in-person national visits and three online learning modules to enhance their skills in sport administration.
The ceremony was hosted by NOC Kosovo and we thank them for hosting this most prestigious part of the event. We were honoured to have the presence of Mr Ismet Krasniqi President of NOC Kosovo at the ceremony.
The final day of the event saw further inspirational presentations and exchanges including a presentation from NOC of Kosovo on the sport system in Kosovo and role of the NOC. A further presentation was delivered by the Basketball federation on a transnational project on safeguarding children, their first EU funded project as coordinator.
EOSE is coordinator of the S2ABC project and was represented in Kosovo by Executive Director Aurélien Favre, and President Kirstie Simpson who has been acting as Course Director for the European Advanced Course on Sport Administration.
The S2ABC project is funded by the Erasmus+ Sport programme “Capacity Building in the Field of Sport” and aims to enhance the skills of sport administrators to build capacity of sport organisations in the Western Balkans through innovative training and development activities.
Testimonials
Aurélien Favre, Executive Director of EOSE, said:
We were delighted to bring the participants on the S2ABC Advanced Course to Pristina to exchange with each other and learn about the sport system in Kosovo. The motivation of the participants to learn and develop in their role as sport administrators was inspirational – this was evident through the quality of presentations which closed the academic part of the Course. Of course, a highlight of the event was the graduation ceremony and presentation of certificates – each participant thoroughly deserved this formal recognition of their achievements, and we thank them for their commitment to the course. We hope to keep in touch with the participants to see how they progress in the sport sector.
Course participant Artina Hasani said:
Attending the graduation ceremony for the S2ABC Project was an unforgettable experience filled with pride and accomplishment. As a participant in the Sport Administration program, I am truly grateful for the invaluable knowledge and skills I gained throughout this journey.
The event was beautifully organized, reflecting the dedication and hard work put into the program. Being surrounded by peers from different European countries, all sharing the same passion for sports management, was both inspiring and enlightening.
The comprehensive curriculum, focusing on Project Management, Finance, and Human Resources, equipped me with practical tools and insights essential for success in the field. From the initial sessions in Brussels to the online continuation, every moment was enriching and worthwhile.
I am especially thankful to have represented the Basketball Federation of Kosovo in this program, further deepening my connection to the sports community.
In conclusion, the graduation day marked not only the completion of a program but also the beginning of a promising journey ahead. I am confident that the knowledge and experiences gained will continue to guide me towards achieving my goals in sports administration.
Course participant Granit Rugova said :
I feel really thankful for having the chance to join the S2ABC European Advanced Course on Sport Administration. It was a wonderful learning experience. This course taught me a lot about how to manage a sports team or organization, the kind of work that goes on behind the scenes to make sports events happen, and how to keep everything organized.
One of the best parts was the graduation event. It was a joyful day where we all celebrated finishing the course. I met many new people who also love sports. We shared our experiences and talked about how sports are done in different countries. This was so interesting and fun.
The teachers on the course were very good at explaining things clearly, and I always felt comfortable asking questions. They knew a lot and could answer all sorts of questions about sports and managing them.
I think this course is great for anyone who wants to learn about sports administration without complicated words or ideas. It’s a good place to start and it gives you the basics you need to know. If someone asks me, I would definitely suggest they sign up for this course.
S2ABC Partners
- European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE)
- Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) – Belgium
- National Olympic Committee of North Macedonia (NOC Macedonia
- Sport University of Tirana – Albani
- National Olympic Committee of Albania (NOC Albania)
- University of Pristina – Faculty of Sport and Physical Education – Kosovo
- National Olympic Committee of Montenegro (NOC Montenegro)
Contact
Mr Aurélien Favre – EOSE Executive Director – Click here
